Updates

Will "support an increase in the cigarette tax" if it is proposed and passes the Legislature

Among the five bills that passed Oregon's three-day special session of the Legislature in October 2013 was House Bill 3601. One of its provisions included a 13-cents-per-pack boost in cigarette taxes.

The bill was among a legislative package dubbed "The Grand Bargain."

In addition to costing smokers a bit more per pack, the bill raised $244 million in the current two-year budget from adjustments to Oregon's senior medical deduction, instituted a higher tax rate for "C corporations" and removed the $183 "personal exemption" for high-earning taxpayers. The bill also cut rates for partnerships, limited liability companies, "S corporations," and some export businesses.

Kitzhaber signed the bill Oct. 8, 2013 and it went into effect Jan. 1, 2014. We rate this a Promise Kept.

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